George Strait, former ABC News science reporter and now vice chancellor at the University of California at Berkeley will moderate the panel discussion.

The event, entitled "Scientific Exploration: Should there be Limits?" will feature a discussion about new scientific discoveries and what impact they will have on our society and also whether they have crossed currently accepted ethical boundaries.

"With the completion of the human genome and other scientific breakthroughs announced daily, it is important that we take a look at where biotechnology is headed," said Michael J. Werner, vice president of bioethics at BIO. "Scientific exploration has taken giant leaps in recent years and will continue to advance at a rapid pace. The scientific community must recognize the ethical implications of these discoveries and discuss them openly with the public."

"We have assembled probably one of the most prestigious groups ever to explore these issues," Werner said.

Registration is complimentary for credentialed news media. To register, please visit www.bio.org. Only reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register on-site with valid media credentials. Reporters are urged to register as soon as possible.

BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.